Jesse Phillips, founder of the Winter Springs Water Quality Initiative and long-time community advocate, has released his first book, Our Home, Our Rule. Drawing on lessons from Winter Springs, the book examines how flawed charter design and weakened accountability can undermine effective local self-government. Reflecting on years of local advocacy, Phillips explores why many problems persist regardless of who is elected—and outlines the structural reforms necessary to restore Home Rule and public trust.
Our Home, Our Rule is a must-read for anyone wondering why long-standing issues in Winter Springs persist despite leadership changes.
Did you know? Winter Springs’ city charter is not fully aligned with Florida’s Home Rule laws, and multiple reviews and audits have identified structural governance issues that weaken accountability and decision-making. These misalignments help explain why long-standing problems often endure—not because of individual leaders, but because the underlying system itself is flawed.
“This treatise provides a clear, thoughtful, and much-needed examination of how Home Rule was intended to function, and how far we have drifted from those principles over time. This book strengthens the case for restoring respect for local authority and reminds us that sound governance begins closest to the people.”
— John Hallman, Defending Rural Florida
The questions raised in Our Home, Our Rule will be familiar to many Winter Springs residents: Why do the same problems persist? Why does change feel so difficult—even after elections, promises, and public engagement?
This book offers a clear framework for understanding those challenges and why meaningful reform requires addressing structure, not just leadership.
Our Home, Our Rule is available now on Amazon.